Environment
Vic Greens push govt to move away from gas
New homes built in Victoria will no longer have to connect to gas if a Greens bill is passed in state parliament.
The Planning and Environment Amendment Bill, to be introduced to the Victoria’s upper house on Tuesday, will remove the existing planning requirement for homes to connect to the gas network.
It will also completely ban new gas connections from 2025.
“It’s ridiculous that Victorian laws are forcing new homes to connect to gas when we know how expensive, polluting and unhealthy it is,” Greens MP Dr Tim Read said in a statement.
“Cities and countries around the world are going gas free, yet Victoria is a laggard, forcing homes to be hooked up to gas.”
A recent parliamentary inquiry found gas used for cooking, heating and industrial processes was a major source of Victoria’s carbon emissions.
The inquiry’s report, tabled in parliament last month, suggested the government consider reviewing and removing regulations that require gas connections for new buildings, and potentially enact a moratorium on residential gas connections.
Meanwhile, the Victorian government will on Tuesday introduce legislation to amend its Victorian Energy Upgrades program.
On average, households save $110 a year on energy bills through the VEU, with businesses saving $3700.
In the past two years, more than 300,000 households and 14,000 businesses received upgrades through the program.
The new legislation will introduce a code of conduct for businesses, protecting Victorians when it comes to marketing, contracts, communication, installation and after-sales follow up.
The code of conduct is due to come into effect from July 1.
“This new VEU legislation will foster even stronger bill savings, emissions reductions, and professional compliance by providers,” Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said in a statement.
-AAP
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